Well reamer



Oct. 22, 1940. c CATLAND 2,218,743

WELL REAMER Filed April 23, 19s Sheet-Sheex 1 ai /Pip 6764719 2 a i W M WM 5 a? 4w wa Wm fl fl 7% E W m\ .v ZWI 2 & fi H Oct. 22, 1940- A. c4 CATLAND I WELL REAMER Filed Aprll 23 Patented Oct. 22, 1940 UNITED STATES WELL REAMER Alfred C. Catland, Alhambra, Calif., assignor to Globe Oil Tools Company, Los Nietos, Calif., a corporation of California Application April 23, 1937, Serial No. 138,599

2 Claims.

This invention relates to well drilling tools and relates more particularly to well reamers. A general object of this invention is to provide a well reamer embodying dependable long wearing 5 anti-friction bearings for the reaming cutters.

Another object of this invention is to provide a reamer for use in the rotary method of well drilling that embodies novel and particularly effective anti-friction thrust bearings for the 10 cutters.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotary well reamer in which the cutters are supported against radial thrust by roller bearings and are supported against axial thrust in both 1! directions by ball bearings.

Another object of this invention is to provide a reamer of the character mentioned in which the bearings and the other elements of the cutter mountings may be readily replaced when U worn.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of typical preferred forms and applications of the invention, throughout 85 which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation of one form of well reamer provided by this invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 2-2 on Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical detailed sectional view of the reamer illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 showing one of the cutters and its bearing means. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal detailed sectional view illustrating the means for locking the blocks in place. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 illustrating another form of bearing means for rotatably supporting the cutters. Fig. 6 is an enlarged horizontal detailed sectional view taken 40 as indicated by line 6-6 on Fig. 5. Fig.7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical detailed sectional view illustrating one of the thrust bearings illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 8 is a view similar to Figs. 3 and 5 illustrating still another form 45 of cutter supporting means. Fig. 9 is an enlarged horizontal detailed sectional view taken as indi-- cated by line 9-9 on Fig. 8 and Fig. 10. is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of one of the thrust bearings illustratedin Fig. 8.

The present invention may be embodied in well reamers varying somewhat in design and construction. In the following detailed description I will describe three typical forms and applications of the invention, it being understood that the invention is not to be construed as limited or restricted to the specific forms or embodiments about to be described.

The reamer of the present invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, of the drawings includes,

generally, a shank or body l0, reaming cutters cutter-supporting pins l2 and anti-friction bearing means l3 for the cutters I.

The body It is an elongate member or structure adapted to be connected in a rotary well drilling string. The body I is provided at its opposite ends with means for facilitating its connection in the drilling string. In the particular case illustrated this means comprises a tapered threaded pin H on the upper end of the body and a tapered threaded socket IS in the lower end of thebody. A longitudinal fluidpassage l6 extends through the body Hi from one end to the other to conduct the circulation fluid. The body ||l has an intermediate portion ll of enlarged diameter or of increased thickness. The body portion I1 is substantially triangular in horizontal cross section and vertically or longitudinally extending recesses iii are provided in its apices. The ends of the intermediate portion ll of the body l0 are preferably inclined or bevelled off as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings. The recesses I8 are provided to carry the cutters II and have flat parallel upper and lower walls and curved concave inner walls. In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, sockets I! are provided in the body portion l'l at the upper and lower ends of the recesses .l8. The sockets l9 are preferably cylindrical and their longitudinal axes are radial with respect to the vertical axis of the reamer. Flat walled notches 20 are provided in the upper and lower walls of the recesses H3. The notches 20 extend to the outer surfaces of the body portion I! and merge with or'join the cylindrical sockets l9.

The cutters H are provided to act on the side walls of the well bore and are in the nature of roller cutters. The cutters II are supported on the pins l2 through" the bearing means l3 to rotate in therecessesIB about substantially vertical' axes. The three cutters may be alike in size and shape. The reaming cutters II are elongate cylindrical members arid their lower portions are preferably tapered or conical. Peripheral cutting teeth 2| are provided on the cutters H. In the particular case illustrated the teeth 2| are straight-and axial and extend throughout the lengths of the cutters, it being understood that the teeth 2| may be pitched or curved or formed in other manners. The cutters II are tubular, each having a central longitudinal opening 22. The lower portions of the cutter openings 22 are reduced in diameter to provide the cutters II with lower ends of substantial area and to provide upwardly facing shoulders 23 in the openings 22. The upper and lower ends of the cutters II are preferably flat and parallel.

The pins I2 are provided to support the rotatable cutters II in the body recesses I8. The pins I2 may be simple cylindrical members as illustrated. In accordance with the invention the pins I2 extend through the cutter openings 22 with substantial clearance andextend through the reduced lower portions of the openings 22 with slight suitable clearance. The pins I2 project or extend beyond the upper and lower ends of the cutters II and the invention provides means for mounting or supporting the projecting portions of the pins on the body I0. Blocks 24 are provided to occupy the sockets I9. The blocks 24 are cylindrical to fit the sockets I9 and their outer surfaces are preferably flush with the surfaces of the body portion I! when their inner ends bear on the inner walls of the sockets. The

blocks 24 have transverse or vertical openings 25 which receive the opposite end portions of the pins I2. Thus the pins I2 are supported on .the body I through the medium of the blocks 24.

Means are provided to prevent turning of the blocks 24 and outward displacement of the blocks from the sockets I9. Vertical openings 26 enter the body portion I! from its opposite ends and pass through the peripheral portions of the blocks 24 in the sockets I9. Tapered pins 21 are arranged in the openings 26 and cooperate with the blocks 24 to set or look the blocks in the proper positions. Set screws 21 are threaded in the outer portions of the openings 26 to hold the pins 2'! in cooperation with the blocks 24. The cylindrical blocks 24 fitting the cylindrical sockets I9 are definitely held against vertical movement in both directions and inward movement through direct contact with the walls of the sockets, and thus dependably support the cutter pins I2 on the body III. Means are preferably provided to prevent rotation of the pins I2 in the openings 25. Each pin I2 has a flat portion 28 adjacent one end engaged by a lug 29 fixed in the opening 25 of a block 24. The lugs 29 cooperating with the flat pin portions 28 definitely prevent turning of the pins I2.

The bearing means I3 are an outstanding feature of the invention. The means I3 include two sets or series of rollers 30 in the opening 22 of each cutter II for rotatably supporting the cutters against the radial thrusts. The sets of bearings or rollers 30 are spaced apart by tubular spacers 3I on the pins I2. The lower ends of the lowermost sets of rollers 30 may rest on the shoulders 23. The upper ends of the uppermost rollers 30 are preferably spaced below the upper ends of the cutters II. It will be apparent how the rollers 30 dependably support the cutters II against the radial operating thrusts and transmit the radial thrusts inwardly to the pins I2.

The bearing means I3 further include race parts 32 on the lower blocks 24 and race parts 33 on the upper blocks 24. The race parts 32 and 33 may be formed integral with the blocks 24. In the particular structure illustrated the race parts are separately formed members in which case the parts 32 are set in sockets 34 in the lower blocks 24and are welded to the blocks and the race parts 33 are set in sockets 35 in the upper blocks 24 and are welded to the blocks. The race parts 32 project beyond the upper ends of the lower blocks 24 and their upper ends are adjacent the lower ends of the cutters II. The parts 32 and 33 are tubular and surround the cutter pins I2. Annular ball races 38 are provided in the upper ends of the race parts 32. The races 36 surround and join the openings 31 in the parts 32 and may be of substantial depth. The means I3 includes annular series of balls 38 arranged in the races 36 to cooperate with the lower ends of the cutters II. The balls 38 effectively transmit the downward thrusts from the cutters I I to the race parts 32 with a minimum of friction. The races 36 are of such depth that the balls 38 are prevented from falling or becoming displaced from the assembly.

Ball bearing means are provided to take the upward thrusts from the cutters II. Tubular flanges 39 are provided on the race parts 33 and project downwardly into the cutter openings 22. Annular races 40 are provided in the corners between the flanges 39 and the lower faces of the parts 33. Similar annular ball races M are provided in the upper. ends of the cutters II where the walls of the cutter openings 22 join the upper faces of the cutters. The races 40 and H are in opposition and annular series of balls 42 cooperate with the opposing races 40 and 4 I. The balls 42 operate to transmit the upward thrusts from the cutters I I to the race parts 33 with a minimum of friction. Due to the locations and the relationship of the races 40 and M the balls 42 may transmit some of the radial thrusts from the cutters I I to the race parts 33.

In assembling one of the cutters II on the reamer body III the rollers 30 and the spacer 3| are inserted in the cutter opening 22 and the blocks 24 are positioned at the opposite ends of the cutter. The series of balls 38 and 42 are arranged in place between the race parts 32 and 33 and the ends of the cutter. The pin I 2 is then passed through the assembly and the assembly is mounted on the body II) by inserting the blocks 24 in the sockets I9. When the blocks 24 are inserted in the sockets I9 the projecting portions of the parts 32 and 33 enter the notches 20. The blocks 24 may be secured in place by the tapered pins 2'I which are forced inwardly by the set screws 21.

In the operation of the reamer the body I0 is interposed in a well drilling string which is to be operated in a well. When the drilling string is rotated in the well bore the cutters II projecting from the mouths of the body recesses l8 engage and cut away the formation at the side wall of the bore. The cutters I I being supported for rotation independently rotate about their own axes. The bearing means I3 support the cutters II so that they may rotate with a minimum of friction. The principal end thrusts or upward thrusts are transmitted from the cutters II to the race parts 33 by the annular series of balls 42. The downward thrusts on the cutters II are transmitted through the balls 38 to the race parts 32. When the cutters or the bearing means hecome worn the blocks 24 may be easily removed from the sockets I9 to permit the replacement of the worn parts.

Figs. 5, 6 and '7 of the drawings illustrate another form of mounting and bearing means for supporting the cutters on the reamer body. While these figures illustrate only'one cutter II and its mounting it is to be understood that a similar construction may be employed to mount the several cutters of the reamer. The cutter I I and the body III of the construction illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 may be identical with those described above and corresponding reference numerals will be employed on these corresponding parts. The construction illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 includes a cutter supporting pin I 2' extending through the body recess I8 and the cutter ,II and bearing means I3 for the cutter I I.

The pin I2 passes longitudinally through the cutter opening 22 with substantial clearance and projects beyond the opposite ends oi. the cutter. Blocks 24are set in the sockets III in the body III and have vertical openings 25' receiving the opposite end portions of the pin. In this construction the cutter II and its bearing means may be assembled in place on the body III and may be removed from the body without disturbing the blocks 24" and the blocks may be welded to the body as at X. A pin 45 may be arranged through a transverse opening in the body III and an opening in one of the blocks 24 to cooperate with .a notch .46 in the pin I2 to prevent turning of the pin. A tubular stop .41 may be arranged in the opening 25' of the lower block 24 to limit the downward movement of the pin I2.

The bearing means I3? includes two sets of rollers 30 in the cutter opening 22 held in spaced relation by a tubular spacer 3|. The rollers 3|! and the spacer 3I' may rest on the shoulder 23 in the cutter. The spaced sets of rollers 30 are operable to transmit the radial thrusts from the cutter II- to the supportingpin I2 The means I3 also operates to transmit the downward thrusts from the cutter I I to the lower block 24 A race part 32'- is provided on the lower block 24. While I have illustrated the part 32 set in a socket in the block 24' and welded to the block it is to be understood that the part 32 may be formed integral with the block if desired. The part 32 projects from the upper end of the block 24 and its upper end opposes the lower end of the cutter II. A ball bearing is interposed between the upper end of the part 32 and the lower end of the cutter II. This ball bearing includes an annular retainer 50 and spaced balls 5| held in the interior of the retainer to cooperate with the lower end of the cutter I I and a race 52 in the upper end of the part 32 The retainer 56 holds the balls 5I in proper spaced relation and prevents the loss of the balls.

Because of the extensive surfaces on the lower end of the cutter and the upper end oi the part 32 the balls 5| may be of large diameter.

The means I3 further includes a ball bearing means for transmitting the upward end thrusts from the cutter I I to the upper block 24*. A race part 33 is provided on the upper block 24*".

While I have shown the part 33 set in a socket in the block 24 and welded to the block it is to be understood that it may be formed integral with the block, if desired. The race part 33 projects from the lower side of the block. and has a downwardly projecting tubular flange 53 of reduced diameter which enters the upper end of the cutter opening 22 An annular groove 54 is provided in the reduced part or flange 53. A ball bearing is interposed between the upper end of the cutter II and the lower face of the part 33*. This ball'bearing includes an annular retainer 55 and balls 56 in pockets 51 in the inner face of the retainer. The balls 56 cooperate with a race 58 in the lower side of the part 33 and with the upper end of the cutter II. The balls 56 are partialiy received in the groove 56. The groove 56 partially receiving the balls 56 permits the employment of balls of large diameter. The balls 56 cooperating with the upper end of the cutter II and the race 56 serve to transmit the upward thrusts from the cutter I I to the race part 33' with a minimum of friction.

In assembling the construction illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 'l 01' the drawings the retainer 55 carrying the balls 56 is first arranged in position on the upper race part 33'. The cutter II carrying the rollers 30* and the spacer 3| is then arranged in place and moved upwardly over the flange 53. The retainer 56 carrying the balls H is then inserted between the lower end of the cutter II and the race part 32". The cutter supporting pin I2 may then be passed downwardly through an opening-58 in the upper end of the body portion I1 and passed through the cutter II to have its opposite ends received in the spaced blocks 24* whereupon the pin may be locked in place by the key or pin 45. The operation of the construction illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and '7 is substantially the same as that of the previously described-form of the invention. The rollers 30 dependably transmit the radial thrusts from the cutter I I to the pin I2. The balls 55 transmit the upward end thrusts from the cutter II to the race part 33 and the balls 5I transmit the downward thrusts from the cutter to the race part 32. Thus the cutter II is supported for rotation by anti-friction bearing means to rotate with a minimum of friction.

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 of the drawings illustrate a modification of the bearing means illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. In the constructionlllustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 the opening 22 of the cutter I I is of uniform diameter and tubular spacers 60 space the rollers 3II from the upper and lower ends of the cutter. The cutter supporting pin I2 has its opposite ends supported in blocks 26* which may be identical with the blocks 24. The lower block 24 hasa race part 32 provided at its upper end with anupstandlng annular flange 6|. The upper block 24 has a race part 33 provided at its lower end with a downwardly projecting annular flange 62.

The means for transmitting the downward thrusts from the cutter II to the race part 32" comprises a ball bearing interposed between the lower end of the cutter and the race part 32. This ball bearing including an annular retainer 63 surrounding the pin I2 and spaced balls 66 retained in the periphery of the retainer 63. The balls 64 cooperate with a race 65 in the upper end of the race part 32 and cooperate with the lower end of the cutter II. The balls 64 operate within the flange 6i. The spaced balls cooperating with the race 65 and the lower end of the cutter II are operable to transmit downward thrusts from the cutters to the race part 32 with a minimum of friction.

The thrust bearing means for taking the upward thrusts from the cutter II comprises a ball bearing interposed between the upper end of the cutter and the lower side of the race part 33 This ball bearing comprises an annular retainer 66 surrounding the pin I2 and balls 61 in pocketets 68 in the retainer. The balls 61 cooperate with the upper end of the cutter II and an annular race 65 in the lower side of the part 33'. The retainer 66 may be engaged between the upper spacer 66 and the lower end of the part 33 .as illustrated in Fig. 10. The balls 61' operate within the annular flange 62.

In assembling the construction illustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 of the drawings the retainer 63,

carrying the balls 64 may be arranged in place on the part 62' and the retainer 66 carrying the balls 61 may be arranged on the lower end of the race part 33". The retainer 68 may be temporarily held in place by grease or the like. The cutter l l carrying the rollers and the spacers Ill and is then passed inwardly between the race parts 32' and 33 so that its ends are engageable by the balls 64 and 61. The pin I2 is then arranged in place and locked in position by the pin 45. In the operation of the construction illustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 the rollers M dependably transmit the radial thrusts from the cutter II to the pin i2 and the balls 64 are adapted to receive any downward end thrusts from the cutter. The balls 61 cooperate with the upper end of the cutter II and the annular race 69 for the transmission of the upward thrusts from the cutter to the race part 33'. The cutter ii and the various elements of its mounting and bearing. means may be readily replaced when worn.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, I do not wish nected in a well string, spaced removable blocks on the body, a pin extending between and carried by the blocks, a cutter rotatable on the pin between the blocks,there being opposing races in the ends of the cutter and the blocks, and series of balls cooperating with the opposing races.

2. A well reamer comprising, a body having spaced sockets, blocks set in the sockets, a pin supported by the blocks, a reaming cutter, roller bearing means rotatably supporting the cutter on the pin, race parts on the blocks, and series of balls cooperating with the race parts and the ends of the cutter to support the cutter against end thrusts, one of the race parts projecting into the cutter.

ALFRED C. CATLAND. 

